Apparatus for forming a net of intersecting threads



W. RSLER Nov. 8, 1966 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A NET OF INTERSECTING THREADS Filed Dec. 26, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NVENTO7 Walter R'sler ATTYS.

W. RSLER Nov. 8, 1966 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A NET OF INTERSECTING THREADS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 26, 1962 a. .w F

NVENTOH Walter Rsler BY 5f/@ ww W. RSLER Nov. s, 1966 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A NET OF INTERSECTING THREADS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR Walter Rs/er ATTYS.

United States Patent O 9 claims. (ci. 156-439) This `invention relates to a process and a device for feeding threads, wires and the like to a roll for forming a net with threads and the like intersecting each other diagonally of the longitudinal direction.

It is known to manufacture nets from threads, wires and the like having threads and the like intersecting diagonally of the longitudinal direction of the net by causing the threads to travel through a laying device .arranged before the r-oll `and by means of which the threads are reciproeated in the axial direction of the roll. In this connection, the threads are guided by sleeves through which the thread passes. The sleeves are carried by a chain circulating before the :roll as an endless web having forwardly and rearwardly trave-lling runs or sides extending parallel to each other.

The `depositing of the threads on the roll to form a net with threads intersecting diagonally of the longitudinal direction takes place accurately for as long as the chain runs carrying the sleeve advance in a straight line. The endless chain is, however, deflected at the end points. Due to this deflection, the predetermined ratio of the chain rotation speed to the travelthr-ough speed of the net or the peripheral speed of the roll is changed. During the deflection, the chain links and therewith the sleeves guiding the threads carry out an unequal, translatory movement. Furthermore, the deection circle is rel-atively large. This means, on the one hand, that the laying device must be `arranged at a relatively considerable distance from the roll so that the threads are compelled, from the instant at which they leave the sleeves until the instant at which they bear on the roll, to travel over a relatively long path during which they are not guided. The result of this is an accumulation of threads along the marginal zone of the net to be formed. The threads extend, at the edge of the net, arcuately from a more or less considerable radius. This kind lof formation of the threads in the marginal Zone is not desirable. It has, therefore, previously been proposed to overcome this defect by arranging between the laying device and the r-ol-l a disc which is pivotally mounted on a jib arm and which extends tangentially of the Iroll and -over which the threads leaving the sleeve are compelled to travel. By this means, the threads leaving the laying device are forcibly pushed or stretched to the edge of the net to be formed. This means that the threads are subjected to additional stressing until they are fixed on the roll.

The invention relates to a further advantageous mode of feeding the threads or the like in the manufacture of a net having threads intersecting diagonally of the longitudinal direction. According to the invention, the threads are guided along t-he paths of the forwardly and rearwardly travelling run of the laying device in such manner that they are so close together and are so closely deflected that the threads, While being guided without constraining means from the laying device to the roll, intersect each `other almost angularly along the edge 4=of the net forming on the roll. The deflecting of t'he threads at the edge of the net takes place practically without noticeable rounding off curves. Preferably, the threads are, during the deflecting process, guided round through 180 from the advancing run to the rearwardly Patented Nov. 8, 1966 ice travelling -run of the laying device relative to the thread division resulting from the spacing at an angle of inclination of approximately relatively to the longitudinal axis of the laying device. In this way, there is obtained an extremely flat laying device with the forwardly -and rearwardly travelling run.

The at design makes it possible to position the laying device close up against the roll. In particular, if the securing ofthe net is effected Ibetween two rolls, the laying device can, due to its low height, be positioned near the roll gap. Due t-o the very considerable translatory movement of the sleeves guiding the threads during deflection in the laying device accumulation of the threads at the end of Jche net to be formed can be avoided. Furthermore, the threads intersect lat the edge of the net to be pitch extends over a deflection path `corresponding to 90.

In this manner, the deflection can be achieved with the shortest path about the guide rail. The means for driving the threadslaying chain is disposed on the outer sides of the runs. The guide rails insure rectilinear travel of the runs.

It is possible to form in the fioatingly arranged guide rails bores through which the tensioning or longitudinal threads or the llike are guided and run into the net to be formed in the longitudinal direction. With the aid oi these tensioning threads, which extend on the edge of the net, it is possible to additionally stretch the net formed o-n the roll in the direction of its width. For this purpose, it is possible to arrange transversely directed lingers which grasp the Ilongitudinal threads and which are displaceafbly controlled in the direction of their longitudinal alrlris, for example, by means of a curved groove or the l' e.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the `appended claims and the several views illustrated in the Iaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional View through an embodiment of the invention and shows diagrammatically the details thereof;

FIG. 2 is a half section horizontal sectional view taken through the center of the spool cage shaft.;

FIICIG. 3 is a fragmentary end View of the appara-tus of FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view showing schematically the details of the thread-laying device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing schematically the passage of a roller chain about an associa-ted guide rail;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic elevational view and shows the driving arrangement for the device according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view sche` matically showing the feed of the threads to the roll; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary end view schema-tically showing the feed of the threads to the roll.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the device, according to the invention, has a spool or bobbin cage 1 on which 4thread or wire spools 2 are-arranged in Iany desired number. The spool cage 1 is mounted for rotation about a shaft 3 projecting unilaterally out of a frame 4. In spaced relationship relative to the spool 4cage y1 i-s a conveying roll 5 over which pass the threads 6 off from the spools 2 for the purpose of forming a net. Shortly in .advance of t-he conveying roll 5, the threads 6 pass through a thread-laying device 7 with the aid of which a net having threads intersecting diagonally of the longitudinal direction of the net is formed. The roll and the thread-laying device 7 are mounted in a frame 8. It is possible to arrange a further roll 9 for cooperation with the roll 5, the net to be formed then passing between the -two -rolls 5 and 9. The net formed can be used for the reinforcement of Webs of paper or the like. For this purpose, webs 10 and 11, which -are drawn off from supply drums 12 and 13, also mounted in the frame 8, may simultaneously run in between the rolls 5 and 9. At least one web, for example the web 10, can be sprayed with a bonding argent, for example, an adhesive bitumen or the like, from a container 14, so that the webs 10 and 11 are, as they pass through the rolls 5 and 9, joined together in such a manner as to enclose the thread net. A composite web 15 reinforced in this manner is guided ove. detlecting rolls 16 and 17 and Wound up on a roll 18.

The thread-laying device 7 according to the invention is so designed that it consists of two independent chains 19 and 20, as is shown in FIG. 4. The chain 19, which is an endless chain, is a ydrive chain which is guided about chain sprockets 21. Disposed between parallel runs of the -drive chain 19 is a thread-laying chain 20. This chain being expediently designed 'as a roller chain, has rollers 22 formed with longitudinal bores 23 through which the threads 6 drawn off from the spool cages are guided. The endless roller chain runs about a guide rail 24. The guide rail 24 is tloatingly mounted tbetween the runs of the roller chain 20.

The drive chain 19 is provided with drive members 25 which engage between rollers 22. In view of the f-act that the `drive members 25 simultaneously engage in the upper and lower runs of the thread-laying chain 20, the guide rail 24 remains in situ together with the threadlaying chain 20 surrounding it, since the displacement forces exerted by the drive members 25 act in opposite direction in the two runs cancel ea-ch other out completely. The guide rail 24 can be for-med at any desired points, in particular at its ends, with bores 26 through which tensioning or longitudinal threads or wires can be guided. Shortly before the chain sprocket 21 the -drive chain 19 travels over rolls 27 and 28 by means of which the drive chain 19 can 'be ykept tensioned.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of juxtaposed thread-laying chains 20 is disposed between fthe 4runs of the drive chain 19. This is an expedient arrangement if the reinforced paper web 15 is to be divided up into a plurality of longitudinal strips. With this arrangement, the net edges are retained, undamaged, in the reinforced paper web. The thread-laying chain 20, can, however, also rotate over the entire width of the paper web.

The subdivision according to the invention of the thread-laying device into a chain guiding the threads and la drive chain engaging from the exterior on the threadlaying chain, makes it possible to position the runs of the thread-laying chain 20 relatively close together. As FIG. 5 shows, the smallest deflection of the chain 20 about the guide rail 24 is effected at an angle of 45 and in such manner that the pitch t of the chain 20 extends over a half deection path which extends through an angle of 90. Since the chain sprockets 21 of the drive chain are disposed externally of the length of the 'roll 5 and/or the roll 9, the thread-laying device can be displaced to a point relatively close to these rolls. The free `length of the threads over which the latter are unguided can be kept extremely short. A`=ll in all, this has the result that the net formed on the roll 5 has, at its edges, deilection points of the threads at which the threads are wrapped round in a short arc. The threadlaying chain 20 is expediently a roller chain in the form of a double strap chain having inner straps 29 and outer straps 30.

There its a specific driving relationship between the spool cage 1, the thread-laying chain 20 and the roll 5. The drive can, for example, be as follows (FIGS. l and 6): A sprocket 32 is driven by a motor 31. The sprocket 32 provides, by means of shafts and further intermediate wheels and a belt or chain 33, a drive for a sprocket 34 which .may directly drive sprocket 21. Furthermore, the spool cage 1 is driven by a sprocket connected to the sprocket 34 land a chain or t-he like 35 through a sprocket 36 and through further gears 39 and 40. The drive for the roll 5 is driven by means of the sprocket 32 through a gear 41 and sprocket 42 and 44 and a belt or chain 43. With one rotation of the chain 20, the spool cage 1 is also compelled to rotate once. The Aratio of the rotation speed of the chain 20 to the travel-through speed of the net formed, which is practically identical with the peripheral speed of the roll 5, varies with the angle of inclination of the threads or wires on the roll 5 to the through-travel direction of the net. With an angle of inclination of, for example 45 of the intersecting t-hre-ads of the net formed, the ratio of the through-travel speed of the net, which is identical with the peripheral speed of the roll 5, to the rotation speed of the chain 20 is 1 to l. The -mesh formed in the net is, in this case, square. Depending on the variation in the speed ratio, it is possible to form mesh which is longer in the direction of Imovement of the net or in the width direction than in the direction transversely thereof.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated, the net formed serves for the reinforcement of paper webs. The mesh can also be secured by `being welded together with a suitable device at the points of intersection. Any appropriate type of thread can be used, for example, threads of textile material, plastic, glass and the like. I-t is, however, also possible to use metal threads.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be undersood that suitable minor modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed -as new is:

1. A thread laying device comprising an endless drive chain having parallel intermediate runs, a guide rail disposed intermediate said drive chain runs, an endless thread laying chain mounted on said guide rail for movement therearound, said thread laying chain having thread sleeves, and drive members on said drive chain engaging and driving said thread laying chain -above and below said thread laying chain so that said thread laying chain maintains the same relative position, said thread laying chain and said guide rail lbeing floatingly supported by said drive chain.

2. A thread laying device as dened in claim 1 wherein said thread laying chain is of the roller type and said thread sleeves being the rollers of said thread laying chain.

3. A thread laying device as dened in c-laim 1 wherein said guide rail has sharply rounded ends whereby the deection path of said thread laying 4chain is reduced to a minimum.

4. A thread laying device as defined in claim 3 wherein the included angle between three adjacent thread sleeves at the ends of said guide rail is 5. A thread laying device as dened in claim 1 wherein said guide rail has guide bores therethrough for ilongitudinal tensioning threads.

6. The thread laying device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of thread laying chains and associated guide rails are mounted between and driven by said drive chain runs.

7. A device for feeding threads to a roll to form a net having its threads intersectingly diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the net comprising a thread laying device, said thread laying device including a plurality of sleeves arranged perpendicularly to said roll and being each adapted to receive and guide a thread, said sleeves being carried by an endless conveyor having parallel runs and drive means externally engaging and driving each run of said endless conveyor, said endless conveyor being mounted for movement parallel to the axis of lthe roll by a guide rail, said guide rail being supported solely by said drive means through said endless conveyor and is freely oatingly supported thereby.

8. The device as dened in claim 7 wherein 'bores are provided in said guide rail to receive and guide longitudinal tensioning threads.

9. A device for feeding threads to a `roll to form a net having its threads intersecting diagonally with respect -to the longitudinal direction of the net comprising a References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,33 8,164 4/1920 Augier 156-439 1,362,066 12/1920 Wandel 156-439 1,494,970 5/1924 Wandel 156-440 2,575,666 11/1951 Knudson 155-439 X 2,614,054 10/1952 Baisch et al. 156-439 EARL M. BERGERT, PrimaryExat't/tner.

R. I. CARLSON, P. DIER, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A THREAD LAYING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ENDLESS DRIVE CHAIN HAVING PARALLEL INTERMEDIATE RUNS, A GUIDE RAIL DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAID DRIVE CHAIN RUNS, AN ENDLESS THREAD LAYING CHAIN MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE RAIL FOR MOVEMENT THEREAROUND, SAID THREAD LAYING CHAIN HAVING THREAD SLEEVES, AND DRIVE MEMBERS ON SAID DRIVE CHAIN ENGAGING AND DRIVING SAID THREAD LAYINGG CHAIN ABOVE AND BELOW SAID THREAD LAYING CHAIN SO THAT SAID THREAD LAYING CHAIN MAINTAINS THE SAME RELATIVE POSITION, SAID THREAD LAYING CHAIN AND SAID GUIDE RAIL BEING FLOATINGLY SUPPORTED BY SAID DRIVE CHAIN. 